Goddard, Aaron Milton died 1883

GODDARD, MCMANUS

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 11/23/2016 at 22:19:20

Elkader Register, Fri., 23 Mar. 1883.

Death of Aaron Milton Goddard, one of the founders of the Register.

Died at McGregor, March 18th, 1883, Aaron Milton Goddard, of pulmonary abcess; aged 42 years, ten months and 4 days.

Mr. Goddard was born in Ohio; he was brought up on a farm, where he spent his younger days, enjoying at intervals the privileges of the public school. He came to Wisconsin in 1854 and entered on an apprenticeship to the shoemaking business, but having a taste for something of a more changeable character, took to the "art preservative of all arts," as likely to furnish his mind the food it craved for. He came to McGregor in 1861, taking a case in the Times office, he succeeded to foremanship in the spring following, a position he held for more than twenty years.

During the fall of 1877, in company with Geo. H. Otis, he came to Elkader, and founded the Register. However he only remained here about eight months, selling out his interest in the Register to Mr. Otis, and returned to McGregor.

By diligent study and almost constant practice he mastered the art, and became a "leading light" in his profession. In January, 1862, he married Miss Jennie M. McManus, of Monroe, Wisconsin. Five children have been born to them, four boys and one daughter, who with the widowed wife and mother mourn the loss of a faithful and loving husband and father.

Mr. Goddard has been in bad health for the past three years. A year ago last summer he took a trip to Dakota Territory with the hopes that a season's work on the farm would improve his condition. On his return, though apparently improved, it was evident that the disease had obtained a firm hold, yet he did not despair, but held to the belief that he would conquer and come out a well man. The past year he spent in Monroe and Darlington, Wisconsin, in connection with his brother, in the boot and shoe trade. A few weeks before his return he wrote that he had rapidly declined and though he should stand to his work as long as there was a particle of hope, when he supposed he would be obliged to return home and make the final struggle. About the middle of February he arrived at his home, and from that day there was a gradual failing.

He was a man of indominatible energy, and during his long siege of sickness, he fought the main issue, inch by inch, yielding only because the powers were against him. It was an unequal struggle, yet one he met and contended with in the same determination the soldier enters the battle, to win or die in the attempt. He was a man of excellent character, honest and upright, a good friend and a kind neighbor, he was firm and outspoken, detesting anything of a sham or hypocritical nature.

The funeral services were held at the Congregational church on Tuesday afternoon, was attended by a large concourse of friends and neighbors. Keystone Lodge, No. 111, A.O.U.W., of which deceased was a charter member, escorted the remains to the church. On Wednesday morning the remains were taken to the tram for transportation to Monroe, Wisconsin, accompanied by the brother, A. W. Goddard, of Monroe, Mrs. Goddard and son Fred; also a committee of three representing the Keystone Lodge, Bros. D. E. Gronte, W. J. Wallis an W. P. Hancock. At Monroe, the workman lodge of that place met the body Wednesday evening, and escorted it to the residence of the brother, and yesterday occurred appropriate services when our friend and companion for so many years was consigned to his last resting place.